New Award Launched For New Zealand Women

New Award Launched For New Zealand Women


MEDIA RELEASE APRIL 12, 2010

A new award has been announced to celebrate the outstanding achievements of New Zealand women.

NEXT magazine is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural NEXT Woman Of The Year Awards.

The award is the first media award of its kind to recognise New Zealand woman in five distinctive fields: Health & Science, Arts & Culture, Sports, Business and Community. It is sponsored by Aveeno and will be held annually.

"These are all arenas women contribute to enormously on many levels," says NEXT magazine Editor Christina Sayers Wickstead. "Yet some of these fields are traditionally less acknowledged than others."

“This is a significant announcement for women. An award that acknowledges all the diverse ways in which women contribute, and that values them equally… Every year here at NEXT we write hundreds of stories about wonderful New Zealand women in our country achieving amazing things. It became very clear to us that New Zealand needs an award that formally acknowledges these and other rolemodels”.

NEXT Woman Of The Year 2010 will be judged by NEXT Editor Christina Sayers Wickstead, Dame Catherine Tizard and Dr Gareth Morgan.

Dame Catherine Tizard was the first female Governor General of New Zealand, paving the way for others. She was also previously the mayor of Auckland during a period of dynamic growth. She is a strong supporter of community, environment, educational and women's causes. Her passion: helping under privileged women move forwards.

Dr Gareth Morgan is a renowned economic analyst and forecaster, Known for thinking outside the square, backing his son to start Trade Me and questioning the status quo (on everything from global warming to tax systems), he is a man of great spirit - a Unicef ambassador who loves to travel the world on a motorbike.

“We are looking for a leader - someone who has inspired others through their tenacity, commitment and big picture thinking," says Sayers Wickstead. "Women can nominate themselves or someone who has inspired them”.

"The winner will not be judged on profile, but on a carefully selected set of criteria." she adds.

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